Recessed Outlet Questions

[Cisco in HD]

Ok, I'm putting the moves together to get my LCD mounted on the wall. I came across the recessed outlet for cable management behind and down at the bottom where the wires should come out.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...=2#description

Is there anything special to these regarding installation?

Would I just cut the drywall to fit these in, then use the screws to hold these plates into the drywall?

Any and all advice is welcomed.

[Johk]

You normally need a low-voltage bracket/mounting plate... You cut a hole, put the mounting plate, then screw the recessed outlet plate on the mounting plate...

To give you ideas on what to look for: http://www.centronics.com/products/Low-Voltage-Brackets

[Cisco in HD]

Excuse my ignorance, what does the bracket get attached to?

I imagine the stud, but if there isn't a stud close by?

[Rob71]

I would use the first one on the second row(SC100RR) if you don't have a stud. You cut your hole, put the bracket in, then tighten two screws. The screws have "wings" that get tightened against the sheetrock.

[Cisco in HD]

Thank you Rob. It's one thing to connect a speaker wire to an AVR, and another thing to make a hole in your wall to make things 'cleaner' and wire-free.


Now for something I was wondering when I was making a mock sketch of the wall and my mounted tv. I'm putting a recessed non electrical outlet behind the tv for 3 Hdmi cables and the center speaker cable (made for inwall). Then have an outlet for those cables about 4ft down behind a entertainment stand.

Can I put the power cable of the tv with these cables (slip it behind the wall and have it come out with the rest of the cables) to use the outlet on that wall outside of the drywall, behind the entertainment stand?

If I can't, I won't. I'm just looking for that no wire look. It would look odd having the power cable going down the wall and behind the center speaker.

[phantompwr]

You are not supposed to run high voltage (ie the power cord for the TV) with low voltage (HDMI, speaker wires... etc) Also you aren't supposed to run a power cord through the wall at all, you should have a plug up by the TV.
There is a discussion about all these things here:
https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=76427

[Cisco in HD]

Ok. So no go on the power cord with the cables.

The hdmi cables are rated for in wall along with the speaker cable. So those are good to be bunched together?

For the outlet I'll ask my friends if they know any electricians to help bang it out.

[DavidAg02]

Are you running a power cable through there, or just A/V cables?

Those type of outlets are not meant for running power cables. For power I would recommend:

http://www.powerbridgesolution.com/

That outlet will work just fine for low voltage applications like A/V cables. However, you will need a low voltage gang box to go behind it (like the ones that Johk posted). The ones that are easiest to install have a clamping device that secures it to the back of the drywall.

[Cisco in HD]

That's a nice box for outlet and cabling. I was looking at a similar one on monoprice. I take it, regardless of which one I get I'll need an electrician to install this.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

Are you running a power cable through there, or just A/V cables?

Those type of outlets are not meant for running power cables. For power I would recommend:

http://www.powerbridgesolution.com/

That outlet will work just fine for low voltage applications like A/V cables. However, you will need a low voltage gang box to go behind it (like the ones that Johk posted). The ones that are easiest to install have a clamping device that secures it to the back of the drywall.

The advantage of using the powerbridge solution is that you will send power up to the hdtv from a connected UPS or Power Conditioner and this will protect your hdtv investment. this is something most of us either don't have or don't think about until a hugh surge, spike or deep sage in power hits our home and damages or completely destroyes the equipment. it's the only solution that will allow you to have clean, conditioned power; i highly recommend it. I am a master electrician in VA and have installed many of these for customers to protect their investment. you won't be sorry!

[Cisco in HD]

Quick question for all you electrical workers out there, if I were to buy all the materials needed for this recessed outlet, including the bracket and so forth...
how much of a cost (roughly) will I be expecting to pay to have an electrician come by and connect the recessed outlet up?

Oh and would it be wiser to have the tv mount put up prior (to see where the best spot for the outlet can be accessed) or put the outlet in first and THEN put up the mount?

[phantompwr]

Originally Posted by Cisco in HD

The hdmi cables are rated for in wall along with the speaker cable. So those are good to be bunched together?

I don't think there is any problem running any low voltage wires together. If you look at my HT gallery you will see I have lots of different wires all bundled together and although I can't prove that they don't interfere with each other, I haven't seen any visual problems nor have I heard any humming from the speakers, so I would say you are safe there. High voltage is known to interfere with other wires, especially analog audio and speaker wires, so try to keep your low voltage stuff away from the power wires as much as possible.

[DavidAg02]

Originally Posted by Cisco in HD

That's a nice box for outlet and cabling. I was looking at a similar one on monoprice. I take it, regardless of which one I get I'll need an electrician to install this.

Something like a PowerBridge does not need to be installed by an electrician. I wired mine up myself, and have very limited knowledge/experience with home wiring. If you have the tools for wire stripping, and cutting into sheet rock then you can definitely install it yourself.

[Cisco in HD]

Let me guess, I'm making a bigger ordeal than it is.

All I need to do is see how a regular outlet is wired, then cut the appropriate wires that go to a similar outlet, and wire accordingly?

[phantompwr]

Originally Posted by Cisco in HD

Let me guess, I'm making a bigger ordeal than it is.

All I need to do is see how a regular outlet is wired, then cut the appropriate wires that go to a similar outlet, and wire accordingly?

Just get yourself a piece of romex long enough to connect the two outlets. The Black wire is for the hot feed, and it should connect to the the more narrow blade/slot. The screw that you tighten it on with should be black as well. The white wire is the cold and it goes to the wider blade, and the unshielded copper wire goes to the ground. That screw should be green.
Keep in mind that although you can do this yourself, you can't have it inspected if you do it yourself and so you aren't covered if something bad happens. It shouldn't be a huge concern, but I'm just letting you know.

[BrettLee3232]

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

that is so easy to use.all u need is 2 1 gang remodel boxes. 1 behind the tv & 1 behind entertainment center.....then u cut the drywall out for the low volt cables.......all u need is the romex wich is easy o connect. he white is on the sme side as the ground screw & black the the opposite side........

if you want an electrician to install will probobly be around $30-$75 dollers plus material.......from monoprice will prob be $60 at the most (with romex)